Swift moves management ahead of 2020 strategy implementation
Liebbrandt: more direct reports
Swift has restructured its management team, increasing the number of direct reports to chief executive Gottfried Leibbrandt, following board approval of its 2020 strategy proposals.
Christian Sarafidis, currently head of Western Europe, Middle East & Africa, and deputy chief executive, EMEA, has been appointed chief marketing officer.
Luc Meurant, who has led the Financial Crime Compliance Services team as part of Swift’s marketing function since 2013, will now report directly to Leibbrandt.
The new management changes take effect on 1 September 1, at the same time as the previously announced changes that see current chief marketing officer Javier Pérez-Tasso taking over Swift’s Americas operation from Chris Church, who announced his intention to leave last month.
“Swift now has a very strong leadership team in place to execute our Swift2020 strategy” said Leibbrandt. “Our executive team includes a strong technical team led by chief technology officer, Craig Young and chief operations officer, Marcel Bronmans, who took up their new positions earlier this year; two realigned regions, with Javier Pérez-Tasso leading the Americas and UK, Ireland and Nordics, and Alain Raes continuing to run EMEA and APAC; [and] strong functional support from marketing led by Christian Sarafidis, and finance and HR led by Francis Vanbever”
Other functional areas that will now report directly to Leibbrandt are risk, legal and compliance, corporate affairs, and our new compliance services team.
“With this team we are very well placed to face our strategic challenge of growing, strengthening, and innovating our core messaging business, continuing our track record of operational excellence, as well as accelerating growth in the key market infrastructures and financial crime compliance area,” Leibbrandt said.
Sarafidis joined Swift in 2005 and was appointed head of Western Europe, Middle East & Africa in 2011, and deputy chief executive, EMEA in 2013. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the finance and technology sectors, having held senior executive positions for several multinational groups, covering international sales, change management, consultancy, project management and customer services.
Meurant joined Swift in 2002 and has been responsible for the expansion and development of Swift’s Sanctions, Anti-Money Laundering and Know Your Customer products and services. Prior to taking up his position as head of Swift’s Financial Crime Compliance team, Meurant was head of banking markets and led the new business development team, overseeing the development of supply chain and corporate market segments.
